Probing O2 dependence of hydroperoxy-butyl reactions via isomer-resolved speciation

Degenerate chain-branching mechanisms of n-alkanes are centered on the formation of hydroperoxy-alkyl radicals (̇QOOH), formed via ̇R + O2 reactions, and the ensuing competition between unimolecular decomposition and second-O2-addition. Quantitative measurements of partially oxidized intermediates formed via reactions of ̇QOOH provide critical constraints that are required for accurate modeling of combustion chemistry. To examine the influence of temperature and oxygen concentration on intermediates from unimolecular decomposition of ̇QOOH, isomer-resolved speciation measurements were conducted on n-butane oxidation at 835 Torr in a jet-stirred reactor (JSR) from 500 – 900 K. Resulting from negative-temperature coefficient behavior, cyclic ether formation peaked at two temperatures, 650 K and 800 K, which were selected for separate experiments to quantify the O2-dependence of species profiles using O2 concentrations of 4.2 · 1017 – 1.1 · 1019 molecules cm–3.